Vehicle signal



March 4, 1930. E. w. swARTwouT l',749,i68

VEHICLE S IGNAL Filed Jan. 11, 1921- 2 Sheet-Sheet- 1 w w A r r AINVENTOR 9 l g 4 I 7 W5). ATTORNEY.

March 4, 1930. w, SWARTWQUT 1,749,168

VEHI OLE S IGNAL Filed Jan. 11, 1921 2 Sheefcs-Sheet 2 st I Inv ntor:

, (I W J Atty.

, etc. An object of the present invention is to Patented Mar. 4, 1930UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE EVERETT W. SWARTWOUT, OF WHITE PLAINS, NEWYORK VEHICLE [SIGNAL Application filed January 11, 1921. Serial No.436,455,

This invention relates to vehicle signals and more particularly tosignals for indicating the course of the vehicle to drivers of othervehicles, tra-fiic policemen, pedestrians,

provide attention attracting means associated with means for indicatingthe intentions of the driver of a vehicle. I

A further object of my invention is to provide means whereby apredetermined signal may be operated at will either in a characteristicmanner or not. I

A second object of the present invention is to provide distinctivesignals indicating the various changes in course of' the vehicle wherebya single signal will be characteris tically controlled in accordancewith the course to be taken by the operator of the vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to control in a simple andefficient manner two forms of signals each appealing to a differentsense, as for example, a visual signal and an audible signal.

In accordance with these objects I provide manually operated means tobeset in advance of the actual movement of the steering device accordingto the direction intended to be means operated byethe steering deviceafter the latter has been 'turned. I also provide automatic meansactuated by the foot brake, the emergency brake, or both, forautomatically indicating the stop indication and actuate a stop audibleannouncer; and further automatic meansfor setting the back indicator andemit a predetermined sound corresponding to back upon operation of thereversing device of the vehicle,

The novel features of my invention are particularly pointed out in theappended claims. The invention itself, however, to gether withfurtherobjects and advantages will best be understood from thefollowingdescription taken with the accompanying drawings, in ,which Fig. 1 is adiagrammatic view of sign'alingsystemaccording to my inventaken by thedriver, combined withv suitable of one form,

tion and indicates the electrical connections between the several partsthereof;

Fig. 2 is a detail vertical section on line 2-2 of Fig. 3 of the restor'g cam;

Fig. 3 is a top plan vie of the steering wheel and one form of means forattaching the restoring cams; I Fig. .4 is a diagrammatic view similarto Fig. 1, illustrating the preferred form of signaliling systemaccording to my invention; an

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 1, the plungers 2, and 3 are preferably arranged inclose relation with the steering. wheel so they may be manipulated bythe operator easily. 4 indicates the steering wheel mounted on the usualsteering post,5 and to said rim is attached the protecting andinsulating casing 12. Suitably mounted upon the insulating casing 12 andinsulated from each other are the contacts 6 and 7 coacting with thecontact piece8 of the plunger 2. The contact piece 8 establisheselectrical connection between the members 6 and 7 upon the operation ofthe plunger 2. Similarly, there are mounted upon the insulating casing12 the contacts 10, 11 and the contact piece 9 suitably mounted on theheel piece of the plunger 3 is provided to coact therewith forestablishing electrical connection between the contacts 10 and 11 uponoperation of the plunger 3. v

The plungers 2 and 3 may be mechanically interconnected to permit theoperation of solely one at a time by means of a mechanism such as thatdisclosed in my U. S. Patent No. 1,365,127 granted January 11th, 1921.

F ixed to the column 31.0f the. steering post 5 is a support 30. Carriedon support30 are two cam blocks 24, 25, the raised or cam portions, seeFig. 2, of which are oppositely located relative to the neutral positionof the steering wheel 4, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Cams 24"and 25cooperate with the heels 28 and 29 respectively of the plun'gers 2, 3.The cams 24 and 25'areso formed and s0 related to the steering post 5that when the car is being driven straight ahead the cams do notinterfere with the pushings down of the plungers 2, 3, to bring bridgecontact 8 into contact with contacts 6, 7, or bridge contact 9 intocontact with contacts 10 and 11. The neutral position of the steeringwheel 4 and the neutral portions of the earns 24, 25, are shown in Fig.1, and accordingly the neutral portions of the cams 24, 25 may beomitted as shown in Fig. 3, ifd'esired. Cams 24 and 25 are, however,tapered so that when the post 5 is turned a given amount in eitherdirection from the straight ahead position, one cam or the other willcome into contact with the lower end of plunger 2 or plunger 3 as thecase may be. For instance, if the plunger 3, causing an indication of aturn to the right, has been pressed down and then the wheel is turned tothe left, the cam 24 will come into contact with the heel 29 of theplunger 3. Further movement of the steering wheel 4 toward the leftforces the thicker or more elevatedportion of the cam 24 under the heel29, thereby elevating plunger 3 and opening the circuit of thecorresponding indicator at contacts 10 and 11. If, however, the plunger2 had been depressed and the steering wheel 4 is then turned to theleft, whereby to turntlie vehicle to the left, plunger 2 would not beinterfered with, but the accidental or malicious operation of plunger 3would be prevented by cam 24. Obviously the relationship just describedis reversed upon turning the steering Wheel to the right, the cam 25being then thrown under the plunger 2.

The radial arm 33 atfixed to the steering post 5 is constructed to turnwith said steering post and to coact with the contact segments 34 and35.

tact 69 which establishes electrical connection with contact 70uponoperation of the reverse lever 67 beyond a predetermined extent.

Circuit controllers 18, 83, 86 and 90 and collecting drum 20 are mountedupon the shaft 19, and are rotated in any well known manner 8 bythe-shaft of the engine, the propeller shaft of the vehicle or any otherrotating shaft of the vehicle. Each of said circuit controllerscomprises insulated and contact segments,

the conducting segments of each controller being connected together andto the collecting drum 20 in any suitable manner. Contact brushes 17,82, 85, 89 and 21 are mounted on the frame 72 of the'vehicle and areeach insulated therefrom and are adjusted to slidably engage theperipheries of the circuit controllers 18, 83, 86, 90 and collectingdrum 20. respectively. c

38, 47, 56, and 68 designate signals, such as contact segments equallyspaced from each' other. The circuit throughsaid controller and thecontact brush is regularly intermittently opened and closed at arelatively high rate. The circuit controller 83 is provided withrelatively long conducting segments equally spaced and thus the circuitthrough this controller and the conducting brush 82 is regularlyintermittently opened and closed at a relatively low rate of speed. Thecircuit controller is provided with alternatively long and shortconducting seg- 'ments and the circuit through it and the conductingbrush 89 isfirst closed for a relatively short interval and then arelatively long interval; and the circuit controller 18 is provided witha series of conducting segments in the order: long-short-short, thusproducing in combination with the conductor brush I7 a correspondinglycharacteristic series of pulsations in the electrical circuit throughit. i

The operation of the indicating device of I my invention is as follows:Upon depressing the left button 2 a circuit is closed fi'bm the battery40, and through the pilot signal 74, conductor 41, contacts 7, 8, and 6,conductors 36, 37, lamp 38, conductor 39,-to the opposite pole ofbattery 49, thuslighting lamp 38. The plunger 2 is manipulated when thedriver, desires to turn in a left hand direction and accordingly thelamp 38, which may be mounted at the rear of the machine or in anydesired part thereof, is designated left. A parallel circuit is alsoclosed from the battery. 40, through the pilot signal 74, conductor 41,contacts 7, 8 and 6, conductors 36, 80, resistance 81, conducting brush82, cir cuit controller 83, which is electrically connected to theconducting drum 20, conducting brush 21, conductor 22, switch 23,audible signal device 26, conductor 27, to the opposite poleof'battery40.- The audible signal 26, is thus intermittently operated inaccordance with the character of circuit pulsations pro- 'duced by thecircuit controller 83 which in this case is a series of regular longclosures and a distinctive character of tone or noise is thus producedby the device 26 and will-be recognized by persons hearing it as anindipafttilon that the driver is about to drive to the Such visual andaudible indications may be caused when the vehicle is at a standstill1,749,ies

or is being driven straightaway. Upon the actual turning the Steeringwheel 4 to the left to and beyond a predetermined point, the radialcontact 33 contacts with the contact segment. 34 and establishes acircuit from the battery 40 through pilot signal 74, contact 33,

contact segment 34, conductor 42, independently of the contactestablished between con-' tacts 6, 8, and 7. The cam 25 will operate torestore the heel piece 28 and the plunger 2 to normal position. It willthus be seen that in case of error by the driver in depressing thebutton, the error will automatically be corrected upon actually turningthe steering wheel. v

'Afterthe vehicle has been turned and the steering wheel resumes itsnormal position the radial arm 33 opens the circuit to the contactsegment 34 and the apparatus resumes its normal condition. 1 Inanticipation of making a right hand turn the driverdepresses the plunger3 and establishes an electrical connection between contacts 9, and 11. Acircuit is then closed from battery 40, pilot signal 74, conductors '41,49, contacts 11, 9, and 10, conductors 45, 46 and 14, visual indicatingsignal 47, conductor 39, battery 40, causing the actuation of the visualsignal 47. A circuit is also closed from the battery 40, through thepilot signal '74, conductor 41, 49, contacts 11, 9.and 10, conductors 45and 46, 15, resistance 16, conducting brush 17, circuit controller 18,which is electrically connected to the collecting 5 drum 20, collectingbrush 21, conductor 22, switch 23, audible signal device 26, conductor27 to the opposite pole of battery.

The device 26 is now under control of the circuit cont-roller 18 whichproduces a series 40 of pulsations of the-character; long-shortshort asaforesaid. There is consequently produced by the device 26 a sound ornoise of corresponding character. The lighting of the lamp 47 and theproduction by the device 26 of this character of noise or tone indicatesto others that the direction which the driver of the vehicle is about totake, is to the right. It will be understood that cam 24 operates in"the same manner in relation to the plunger 3 as was the casein theprevious example with cam 25 and plunger 2.

The radial arm 33 and the contact segment 35 provide .a circuit from thebattery 40, through the pilot signal 74, radial arm 33, segment 35,conductor 50, independent of the contacts9, 10, and 11, upon theoperation of the steering wheel 4. Thus the setting of the signals ismaintainedowhile the radial arm 33 is in right position. When making astop the driver of the vehicle partially or wholly depresses the footbrake 52 and a circuit is then closed as fole5 56, co'nductor 39, tobattery and a circuit is also closed through resistance 84 and cir cuitcontroller 86 for the audible signal device '26. The horn 26 thereuponoperates under control of the short, regular pulsations produced bycircuit'controller 86 and consequently produces a characterized noise ortone. As alternative to the contacts 53, and 54 this circuit may also beclosed by the contacts and 62 through the conductors 61 and 63 when thehand brake 59 is operated. The lighting of the lamp 56 and the peculiarnoise or tone produced by the horn 26 are indicative of the driversintention to stop the vehicle.

Similarly thevreversing lever 67- controls the circuit" of the back lamp68 and by means of the circuit controller 90 causes the actuation ofthe'audible signal device 26, and by means of the series of alternatelylong and short pulsations, in the circuit of the device 26, there isproduced a characteristic noise or tone, recognized as an indicationthat the vehicle is to be driven in the reverse direction.

The switch 23 is provided to open the circuit of the audible device 26when the operation of this device is not desired, as," for example, whenthe car is standing still, or when passing through-hospital zones or anyother zone of quiet.

The resistances 16, 81, 84, 88 are of such value as to limit the currentthrough conductors such as 15 and 80 and to provide for illumination ofa lamp other than the one desired. These resistances are of suilicientlylow value, however, to permit the operation of the horn 26 in theseveral circuits described above.

Referring to Fig. 4, I have herein illustrated an apparatus having manyparts which may be identical with parts in Fig. 1.

Such parts are numbered the same in both figures. In Fig. 4, 96 is astationary contact are concentric with steering post 5. Fixed to thepost 5 aretwo contact arms 91 and 92. Contact arm 91 cooperates withcontact arcs 93. 94, 95, 96, and contact arm 92 cooperates with contactarcs 97 and 98. Arc 93 is preferably circular, having the post 5 at itscenter. Arcs 94, 95, 96 are placed on a curve concentric to are 93. Whenthe vehicleis being to tl1e rigl1t or left to any material degree.

When the vehicle is being driven straight ahead, also, post 5 is in suchposition that contact arm'92 connects contact arcs 97 and 98: However,when the vehicle is turned to either right or left contact is brokenbetween contact arcs 97 and 98. As one form of such movable contacts 91and 92, see also Fig. 5, the same are mounted on any suitablestraight-ahead position, and similarly the contact 92 of any suitableconducting material is mounted transversely at the end of the insulatingarm 92 to bridge the contacts 97 and 98, when the steering post 5 is instraight ahead position; and similarly the movable contact 91 bridgesthe contact arcs 93 and 94 when the steering post 5 is in its leftposition while the movable contact 92 is moved out of connection betweenthe con tacts 93 and 95; and similarly the movable contact 91 bridgesthe contact arcs 93 and 96 when the steering post 5 is in its right position, while the movable contact 92 is moved out of connection betweenthe contacts 97 and 98, as is described hereinabove. As will be seenmore clearly when the description 015 Fig. 4 is completed, parts 91,93,94 and 96 perform the same-functions as parts 33, 34, and of Fig.v1,noting, however, that the steering post 5 does not serve to carry anyelectrical current in the circuits of Fig. 4, as indicated in thediagram of Fig. 4, while parts 92, 95, 97 and 98 form ,part of anarrangement performing the functions of the plungers 2, 3, and cams 24,25 of Fig. 1 and which will now be described.

The arrangement just mentioned comprises stationary contacts 100, 101,102, 103, 104, 105, 106 and 107,,arranged in two parallel rows, the evennumbered contacts in one row and the odd numbered contacts in the other.Contacts 100 to 107 inclusive are placed opposite in the rows so thatthey may be connected in pairs by movable bridge pieces 108 and 109,contact 100 to 101, contact 102 to 1033,

contact 104 to105, and contact 106 to 107. In Fig; 4, the positions ofthe left hand I bridge piece 108*(indicated also L) andthe positionotthe right-hand bridge piece 109 '(dendted also R) are neutralposit-ions respectively. Bridge piece 108 cooperates withcontacts 100 to103 inclusive, and bridge 109 with contacts 104 to .107 inclusive. Thebridge pieces, moreover, are connected by a spring 110 so that whenpiece 108 is moved to the left to connect contact 100 to 101, piece 109is drawn to the left and'connects contact 104 to 105. vAlso when piece109 is moved to the right toconnect contact 100 to contact 107, piece108 is drawn to the right and connects contact 102 to contact 103. Stops111 and 112 are placed between contacts 102 and 104 and between contacts103 and 105 respectively to limit the inward movements of bridge pieces108 and 109 respectively.

hen bridge piece 108 connects contact 100 to 101 the bridge piece is'releasably held in this position by electro-magnet 113. Similarly, whenbridge piece 109 connects contact 106 to contact 107, piece 109 isreleasably held in this position by electro-magnet 114. lVhen the bridgepiece .108 and therewith the bridge piece 109 are manually moved totheir left hand positions, and the vehicle is being steered straightahead, the circuit of electroniagnet 113 runs from battery 40 throughthe pilotlamp 74 and conductor 91 to contact are 93, bridge piece 91,contact 95, conductor 115, conductor 116, contact 104, bridge piece 109,contact 105, conductor 117, winding of electro-magnet 113, conductor118, conductor 119, contact 97, bridge piece92, contact 98, conductor120, conductor, 121, switch 122 to the other side of battery 40. 'At thesame time a circuit is formed from battery 40 to the conduct-or 117 inthe manner just described, thence to contact 101 through conductor 123and across bridge piece 108 to contact 100, thence through conductor 36,to conductor 80, resistance 81, and thence commutator 83,

shaft 19, collector ring 20, brush 21, switch 22 and signal 26 tobattery 40 as in Fig. 1 similarly as in the arrangement in Fig. 1, thecircuit is closed from the conductor 36*, through the conductor 37,indicating lamp 38, return lead 39, switch 22 through the battery 40. Itnow the steering wheel and its post, 5 are turned to the left, bridgepiece 91 will now connect are 93 with are 94 and a'cir cuit is completedfrom thebattery 40 to are 7 93 as previously described, thence throughbetween contacts and 101. but the current in these signals isreestablished by bridge 91 making connection-between arcs 93 and 94 withw1re36 and remainder of circuit through wlre 37 also through theindicating lamp '38, the commutator 83. and the horn'26.

\When noui steering wheel and its post 5 are moved back to its neutralor straight ahead position, the signals no longer operate, by reason ofthe opcn-circuiting of the signal circuits traced hereinabove. I I

If after moving bridge member 108 to the left to operate signals -38and20 as just described, it is decided not to turn the vehicle'to the left.the bridge 109 is then moved to the right thus breaking the circuit ofelectroinag-net 113 between contacts 100 and 101 and stopping theiroperation.

A further movement of bridge member 109 to the right connects contacts106 and 107 and also draws bridge member 108 against stops 111 and 112,thus placing bridge member 108 Where it connects-contacts 102 and 103.In this position of bridge members 108 and 109 the proper circuits areclosed whereby signals 47 and 26 are operated thus indicating that thevehicle is to turn to the right. At the same time the circuit ofelectromagnet .114' is closed, this magnet serving to hold bridge 109 inposition across contacts 106 and 107. The operating circuits of thesignals 47 and 26 are then as follows: from battery 40 throughi74, 91*,93, 91, 95, 115, 102, 108, 103, 107, 109, 106, 46, 14, 47, 39, 121 and122 to battery 40. The circuit of'holding magnet 114 is at the sametime,

as follows from, battery 40 through parts 74, 91 93, 91, 95, 115, 102,108, 103, 114, 119, 97 ,92, 98, 120, 122, to battery 40. Theelectromagnets 112 and 113 are strong enough to hold the bridge pieces108 and 109 respectively when these bridge pieces are moved adjacent therespective electromagnets, but are not strong enough to attract thebridge pieces from their distant position shown in Fi 4.

i lVhen the steering wheel and its post 5 are turned to the right,bridge 92 no longer connects contacts 97 and 98, and the circuit holdingmagnet 114is broken between these two contacts thus permitting spring110 to pull bridge member 109 to the left and breaking the signalcircuits between contacts 107 and 106. At about the same time that thisoccurs, however, the post 5 continuing to turn to-the right, bridge 91connects are 93 with are 96, thus reestablishing the signal circults byconnecting lead 93 to lead 46 through parts 93, 91, 96 and The remainingpart of the circuit of signals 47 and 26 are then identical withthose-stated in the preceding paragraph.

From the above as will be noted that the contact member 109 bridges thecontacts 104 and 105 when the contact member 108 is normally pre-setto-left position, i. e., to bridge the contacts 100 and 101, at whichstage the neutral contacts 93 and 95, of the steering device contactsare bridged by the contact 91 and the neutral contacts 97 and 98 arebridged by the contact 92. Should the driver or operator desire tocancel such pre-set left position, the bridge member upon being movedfrom its set left position 1nterrupts the circuit and extingulshes theleft signal 83. In like manner, should the operator after pre-settingthe left bridge member 108, desire to change to the pre-set rightposition the right member 109, bridging the contacts 104 and 105m thethen formed circuit, as hereinbefore described, interrupts the circuitacross the contacts 104 and 105 upon manually moving the r ght member109 to the right, de-energizing the \electromagnet 113, and establisheselectrical connection across the contacts 106 and 107 to close thecircuit through the right lamp 47 or right signal 18, as describedhereinabove. In such changes of pre-setting, the neutral contacts 95, 97and 98 function in the electrical circuits similarly as when cancellinga pre-set left indication.

In a similar manner, a pre-set right indication may be cancelled orchanged to a pre-set left indication respectively manually returning theright manual bridge member 109 to its neutral position or by manuallysetting the left bridge member 108.

I also may provide means,as-illustrated in Fig. 4' whereby the signal 26may be used or sounded as desired independently of any commutator .or ofany other signal. This means comprises a lead 123 connecting leads 115and 22, and a normally open, manually controlled switch 124 in lead 123.It is evident that upon closing switch 124, the circuit of signal 26 iscompleted from battery 40 through parts 74, 93, 93, 91, 95, 115, 123,

124, 22,23, 26, and 122 to battery 40.

'It is evident also that the operation of all the signals may beprevented when desired by opening the switch 122.

The remaining parts illustrated in Fig. 4 are identical in function withparts ,described in connection with Fig. 1 and have been given numbersin Fig. 4 identical with those of the corresponding parts in Fig. 1.

The operation of the form of apparatus illustrated in Fig. 4 is sosimilar to that in- Fig. 1 that no additional staten ent of theoperation of the apparatus of Fig. 4 is necessary.

From the above, it will be noted that upon presetting the manuallyoperative member either to the left or to the right, the operation ofthe steering wheel subsequent to the setting of the manually operativemember deenergizes the holding magnet of the manually operative memberwhich thereupon returns to neutral; also, upon operation of the steeringwheel in either direction subsequent to manual setting of the manuallyoperative memberin either direction renders the manually operativemember ineffectual until the steering wheel is returned to its neutralposition and that the indicating means upon such subsequent operationofthe steering wheel is energized through a circuit which is unaffectedby the bridge members of i the manually operative member and is other-'wise independent of the manually operative member. In such event, ifthe manually operative member has been set, say to the left and thesteering wheel subsequently turned to the right, the left indicator isde-energized and the right indicator becomes ener-- fitted with myinvention when desired and whereby the nature of an impending change ofcourse or change of speed of'the vehlcle may, at the same time, becommunicated to such persons, and that the audible indication may beinterrupted or continued at the will of the operator by means of theswitch 23.

'hereas I have illustrated and described my invention by reference tospecific forms thereof it will be understood that many changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the inventiondefined bythe appended claims.

I claim:

1. 'In a vehicle having a steering device, the combination with aplurality of indicating means; of means operative automatically uponmovement of the steering device for opv dev ce; said steering deviceautomatically opcrating said indicating means corresponding to thedirection of movement of the steering erated means comprising contact.means controlledby saidsteering device, a set of contacts engaged by acontact arm supported on said steering devicewfor the neutral positionof said contact'means and sets of contacts respectively for the left andright positions of said contact means; manually operable,"

electrically held means comprising separate manually operated left andright members for setting said indicating means in ad-- vance of theoperation of said steering 1evice, said manually operable, electricallymeans comprising electro-magnetic means for holding said manuallyoperated means in set position prior to the operation of said steeringdevice; and electrical circuit means for energizing said electromagneticmeans when said contact means is in neutral position and for de-enerizing said electromagnetic means when said contact means is in eitherits left-or its right position.

2. In a vehicle having a steering device, the

Y combination with a plurality-of indicating means; of means operatedautomatically in the direction of movement ofthe steering device, saidsteering device automatially operated means comprising contact means, aset of contacts e'ngaged'by a contact arm supported on' said steeringdevice for its neutral position and sets of contacts for its left andright positions respectively; manually operable, electrically held meansforsetting said indicating means, said manually operable electricallyheld means comprising separate manually operated contact membersrespectively for itsle'ft and right positions and electromagnetic meansfor holding said left or right contact member in its set position, andelectrical circuit means connecting said 'set of contacts for. theneutral 0 position of said contact means with the set contact memberwhen the steering de vice is in neutral position.

3. In a vehicle having a steering device, the

neutral position.

combination with a plurality of indicating means; of means operatedautomatically in 'the direction of movement of the steering device; saidsteering device automatically operated means comprising contact means, aset of contacts engaged by a contact arm supported on said steeringdevice for its neutral position and sets of contacts for its left andright positions respectively; manually operable, electrically held meansfor setting said indicating means, said manually operable electricallyheld means comprising separate manually operated contact membersrespectivelyfor its left and right positions and electromagnetic meansfor holding said left or right contact member in its set position; andelectrical circuit means connecting 'said set of contacts for theneutral position of said contact means with the set contact member whenthe steering device is in neutral position, and for completing anelectrical circuit through said indicating means independently of saidcontact members upon movement of the steering device from its 4. In avehicle having a steering device, the combination with a plurality ofindicating means ;of means operative automatically upon movement of thesteering device for o crating said indicating means corresponding to thedirection of movement of the steering device, said automaticallyoperated means comprising contact means controlled by the advance of theoperation of the steering dew vice; and electrical circuit meansconnecting said set of contacts for the neutral position of saidcontactmeans with said manually op-.

erable, electrically held means when the steering device is in neutralposition.

5. 'In a vehicle having a steering device, the combination with aplurality of indicating means; of means operative automatically uponmovement of the steering device for operating said indicating meanscorresponding to the direction of movement of the steering device, saidsteering device automatically operated means comprising contact meanscon- Y trolled by the steering device, a 'set of contacts engaged by acontact arm supported on said steering device for the neutral positionof said contact means and sets of contacts -re-' spectively for the leftand right positions 6f said contact means; manually operable,electrically held means comprising separate manually operated left andright members for correspondingly setting said indicating means inadvance of the operation of the steering device, said manually operable,electrically held means comprising electromagnetic means for holdingsaid manually operable means in set position prior to the operation ofthe steering device; and electrical circuit means connecting said set ofcontacts for the neutral position of said contact means with the saidmanually operable, electrically held means when the steering device isin neutral position. 3

6. In a vehicle having a steering device, the, combination with aplurality of indicating means; of means operative automatically uponmovementof the steering device for operating said indicating meanscorresponding to the direction of movement of the steering device, saidsteering device automatically operated means comprising contact means, aset of contacts engaged by a contact arm supported on said steeringdevice for the neutral position of said contact means and sets ofcontacts respectively for the left and right positions of said coiitactmeans; manually operable electrically held means for setting saidindicatingmeans, said manually operable, electrically held meanscomprising separate manually operated members respectively for its leftand right positions;

.and electrical circuit means connecting said set of contacts for theneutral position of said contact means with the set member of saidmanually operable means when thesteering device is in neutral position.

7. In a vehicle having a steering device, the

combination with indicating means, of means operated automatically uponmovement of I the steering device to set said indicating meanscorresponding to the direction of movement of the steering device, saidsteering device automatically operating means including contacts of theneutral position of the steei'ing device, and separate manually operableleft and right members for presetting said indicating means in advanceof the operation of said steering device, said manual- 1y operable meanscomprising a plurality of contact makers, a plurality of contacts foreach contact maker, electromagnetic means for holding said contactmakers respectively in set position relative to said plurality of setsof contacts and electrical circuit means including said neutral positioncontactswhe reby upon manual return of the pre-set l ft or right memberto neutral position. said electromagnetic means is de-energized and saidindicating means is restored to nonset position.

8. The combination with a vehicle p rovided with a steering mechanism, aplurality of electrical signal circuits, and a source of power, ofmanually operable switchmeans for selectively controlling said circuits,andswitch "means controlled by said steering mechanism for selectivelycontrolling said circuits and for connecting and disconnecting saidsource of power with respect to said manually operable switching means,said steering control switch means comprising a first contact connectedwith the manually operable switch means and a pair of contacts connectedwith the signal circuits, respectively, and a movable contact connectedwith a source of power and connected with said first contactin medialposition of the steering mechanism and with one or the other of saidpair of contacts when the steering mechanism-is moved a predeterminedamount in one direction or the other from medial position.

9. The combination with right and left handelcctric signal circuits of avehicle and a source of current of manually operable switch means forcontrolling said circuits, comprising a stick switch mechanism forcontrolling the signal circuits, said switch mechanism comprising a pairof contacts connected with said signal circuits, respectively, twoseparate switch arms respectively carrying contacts engageableselectively with one or the other of said signal circuits and astickmagnet for holding the switch arm in engaged position said magnet andsaid contacts respectively being in series between the source" ofcurrent and the signal circuits. v 10. The combination with a vehicleprovided with a steering mechanism of a signal for indicating turns, acircuit therefor including a source of current, manually operableswitching means forcontrolling said circuit in advance ofmaking a turn,and switching means operable by movement of said steering mechanism tomake a turn for controlling said circuit and for discoimecting saidsource of current from said manual switching means. I v

11. The combination with a vehicle provided with a steering mechanism ofa plurality of direction signal means, electrical circuits therefor, asource of power, manually operable switching means for selectivelyconfor restoring said manually operable switch ing means to neutralposition, said contacts being connected with said electrical signalcircuits and electro-magnetic means for holding said manually operableswitching means in either of its operated positions, and switch meanscontrolling said electro-magnetic means and controlled by turning saidsteering mechanism in the direction indicated whereby said manuallyoperable switching means is released and said signal is maintained untilafter said turn hasbeen made.

andsaidsteering wheel returned to straight ahead position.

113. The combination with a vehicle provided with a steering mechanismof a pluraL ity of electrical circuits, a source of power, manuallyoperable bridge membersfor selectively controlling said circuits, anelectro I magnet for each bridge member, contacts for each of saidbridge members, a connection between said bridge members, contacts soarranged with relation to said bridge members that one bridge membercontacts to complete the circuit for energiz c ing the electro-magnetfor holding the other bridge member, means for restoring said manuallyoperable bridge membersto neutral position upon release from itselectroa steering wheel mechanism, of a plurality of electrical signalcircuits, a source of power, 7

manually operable bridge members for selectively controlling saidcircuits, an electro-' magnet for each bridge member, two pairs ofcontacts for each of said bridge members so arranged that when either ofsaid members is operated to the left or to the fright the other memberbridges one of its pairs of exclusively control said circuitsselectively.

16. The combination with a" vehicle provided with a steering mechanismofa pair of signals indicating turn to the right and turn to the leftrespectively, circuits therefor, including a source of current, manuallyoperable switching means for selectively controlling the circuits andswitching means operable by movement of said steering mechanism forselectively controlling said circuits for disconnecting said source ofcurrent from said-manual switching means.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification this 3rd day ofJanuary, 1921. EVERETT lV. SWARTWOUT.

contacts to energize the electromagnet of the other bridge member toretain the same in position, means for restoring said manually operablebridge members to neutral position upon release from its electro-magnetand switch means controlled by said steering mechanism for selectivelycontrolling said circuits and for connecting and disconnecting saidsource of power with respect to said manually operable switching means.

15. The. combination with a vehicle provided with a steering mechanismof a pair of signals indicating turn to the ri ht and turn to the leftrespectively, circuits therefor including a source of current, manuallyoperable switching means for selectively controlling said circuits, andswitching means normally connecting said source of current to saldmanual switching means and operable by movement of said steering mecha-'nism a predetermined amount to disconnect said source of current fromsaid manual switching means and thereafter directly and

